What Everyone Gets Wrong About Styling A Kitchen Island

When it comes to styling our homes, we all start out with the best intentions. A new furniture piece, paint job, or renovation inspires us to declutter and commit to an aesthetic that we've admired in interior design magazines. Our homes look Instagram-worthy for at least a few weeks, if we're lucky. But then life happens, and we find ourselves falling behind trying to stick with the look we want for our homes. House Digest spoke exclusively with Beth Diana Smith, owner of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design, for her expert take on mistakes homeowners make when styling one of the areas that is hardest to maintain — the kitchen island. 

Located in a high-traffic room, this piece of furniture often becomes a bustling gathering space and a catch-all for clutter as family members pass through. Whether you're starting from scratch with one of these stunning kitchen island trends that are set to dominate through 2025 or your existing island is ready for a makeover, Smith warns homeowners about what to watch out for. "One of the most common mistakes that I see is not considering the over-the-island lighting as part of the style," she says. "Another mistake is overdecorating and having too many items, or heavy items, and making it inconvenient to move items as needed or decor just being in the way." 

One of the main blunders in styling a kitchen island is paying too much attention to what is on the island rather than what is above it. "The lighting should complement the island in both function and style, with consideration to the size, like too big or too small," says Beth Diana Smith in an exclusive interview with House Digest. "And the lighting should be hung 30 to 36 inches from the top of the island."

If your furniture is only a few feet long, don't crowd the ceiling with too many lights or overwhelm the area with too large of a fixture. Opt for a single pendant light. On the flip side, a longer island could benefit from multiple lights, but keep them within the length of the furniture. And if you really want to make a statement, use lighting to bring character to an otherwise boring kitchen, but don't forget that you're not simply matching the lights to the kitchen island — also consider the color scheme and look of the rest of the kitchen. 

Simplifying the decor on your countertop space will minimize clutter, but doing so also serves a more important purpose. "Keep the decorative styling relatively simple so you can better function day-to-day, making it easy to move items quickly if needed," Beth Diana Smith shares exclusively with House Digest. "So avoid more than three items or heavy items, and use multifunctional items like fruit bowls or platters that can [serve] as decoration and grab-and-go foods." She recommends oversized decorative bowls for their ideal width and height, providing functionality without overwhelming the space. Avoid anything too tall that would prevent anyone sitting or standing at the island from seeing other parts of the kitchen.

Another idea for combining function with aesthetics is to use kitchen tools as decoration. Smith says, "If entertaining, I opt for cutting or charcuterie boards for food display on the island. It gives a festive vibe while keeping food in a central area." This is along the same vein as designating one section of your counter space for food prep, which is one way to turn your crowded kitchen into a minimalist space. But Smith understands that function isn't always a priority. She also suggests displaying vases with florals to give the kitchen an extra splash of color of texture — just because.